Watertown attempts fresh start for 2013

With expectations high because of great experience and talent, especially on offense, Watertowns 2012 season was a disappointment in a variety of ways.

The Cyclones won only two league games (three overall), were outscored by 67 points, and fell 49-0 to Jamesville-DeWitt in the Class A quarterfinals.

This season, with an almost entirely new backfield and newcomers at a variety of positions, the Cyclones are looking for a fresh start and hope to improve in such areas as rush defense and special teams to become a contender again.

Coach Vince Williams likes the upside of new quarterback Malik Evans, a junior transfer who he terms athletic, with great mechanics and an accurate thrower.

New running backs Tyler Hooker and Kenneth Singletary are an explosive duo with all the tools to make big plays. And the return of Eric Soderquist from injury will bolster the receiver corps, which also includes Kenneth Mathison, Jarrod Bellinger and tight end Jordan Salyers.

Last years line was almost totally inexperienced. But the key parts, veterans such as Austin Gibson, John Castilleja, Kris Butler and Mitchell Netto, should make the offense more productive and consistent.

Many of those players will also contribute on defense, where WHS had trouble stopping both the run and pass last season.

Weve got a good mixture of underclassmen with playoff experience, said coach Williams. We will succeed if we can consistently block up front and stop the run defensively.